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After France and Italy (the origin countries of the project), the ground-to-air defense system will equip the Danish armed forces starting in 2028.

As an example of the rearmament efforts undertaken across the continent, Denmark has chosen the French-Italian air defense system SAMP/T NG, known as Mamba, to equip its armed forces. The information, known since the end of 2025, has been confirmed with more details by Thales and MBDA, who produce the system within the Eurosam joint venture.

This agreement

marks the first contract for export in Europe for the SAMP-T NG (New Generation Medium Range Ground-to-Air Defense System), a rival to the famous American Patriot system.

In addition to Italy and France, the countries that designed the “Mamba,” the system had been ordered and delivered in its previous version (SAMP/T) to Singapore, in two batteries, in 2017 and 2018. An example had also been delivered to Ukraine after the Russian invasion of 2022.

The SAMP/T NG is specifically designed to destroy ballistic missiles and maneuvering hypersonic missiles. “Facing a fully maneuvering Iskander, the SAMP/T system is unable to intercept it, however, the SAMP/T NG will be capable of doing so,” explained an industrial source involved in the program, regarding the Russian ballistic missile capable of maneuvering with rebound during its descent.

Aster production is ramping up

The SAMP/T NG is a key component of SkyDefender, the integrated air defense and antimissile system launched by Thales. Capable of detecting ballistic missiles at 5,000 km and providing early warning, SkyDefender combines ground radars, infrared sensors on geostationary orbit satellites and neutralization means (missiles, rockets, and other ammunition).

Within this multi-layered system, the SAMP-T NG provides medium-range protection, with the Ground Fire radar capable of detecting targets up to 150 km and ensuring 360-degree coverage in the operation theater. This radar, in mass production since early 2025, recently demonstrated exceptional performance during a firing qualification of the French version of the SAMP/T NG system, praised by Thales.

“Denmark will benefit from the increased production of the SAMP/T-NG system and ASTER missiles, with delivery starting in 2028,”

Thales also assured in a statement released on Tuesday, April 21.

“The SAMP/T NG is the best mobile ground-to-air system to ensure the protection of Danish airspace and effectively contribute to the defense of European countries and NATO,” said Thales Deputy Director Hervé Damann, thanking the Danish authorities for their trust.